About Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord extends from brain to lower back and is a bundle of nerve cells and fibers that acarries messages from the brain to the body as well as from the body to the brain. The spinal cord is protected by the vertebral column. The 4 regions of the vertebral column include the 7 cervical vertebrae (protecting 8 cervical nerves), 12 thoracic vertebrae (protecting 12 thoracic nerves), 5 lumbar vertebras (protect 5 lumbar nerves) and 5 sacral vertebras (protecting 5 sarcal nerves). Trauma to spinal cord result from a direct injury or injury to surrounding bones, tissues, and blood vessels. It occurs when there is damage to the cells of the spinal cord or severs to the nerve tracts that relay signals up and down the spinal cord.

Who gets SCI and what are the causes

Approximately 10,000 people are injured each year in the United States. It can happen to anyone at any age but men between 15-35 years old are more susceptible. There is about 450,000 people who live with SCI in the United States.

Who is more at risk? Men, being between the ages of 16-30 years old, being active in certain sports, and people having and underlying bone or joint disorder.


Direct injury that occurs if bones or discs of vertebrae are damaged. Bone fragments can cut or damage the SC. Compression, pulling, and sideways pressing of spinal cord can cause direct damage. Bleeding and fluid accumulation can cause spinal compression therefore damage.

-Motor Vehicle Accidents (leading cause of SCI for people under 65 years old)
-Falls
-Sport or recreation injuries
-Industrial Accidents
-Gunshot Wounds (and other acts of violence)
-Alcohol and drug related accidents
-Weakened spinal cord from RA, osteoporosis, or other minor injuries
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